Newcastle city centre landmark buildings go on the market

Some of the campaigners who signed the petition to save Newcastle's Turkish Baths (Image: Mark Husmann)

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A city centre block containing three listed leisure attraction buildings which campaigners have fought to save is being placed on the market this week.

Developers, investors and community groups are being invited to submit proposals to secure the future of Newcastle City Hall, City Pools and Turkish Baths housed in the Northumberland Road block, which was built in 1928.

The city council has asked property agents Sanderson Weatherall to market the buildings in what the company describes as a “for sale/to let unique opportunity.”

It is anticipated that this will mean City Hall continuing to operate as an entertainment venue, with the option to turn over the City Pools to an alternative use.

These buildings include two pools - the former City Pool and Northumberland Baths - a leisure suite and Turkish Baths.

These were closed in April 2013 in the wake of Government cuts and rising costs.

Also included in the package at the back of the pool buildings is the former St Thomas/Vine Lane School which has been derelict for some time.

The school, with features dating from 1838, is considered to be the oldest surviving Victorian school building in the city, and is on the council’s Local List of architectural and community merit. The school closed in 1937.

The council is also open to proposals for how the historically significant Turkish Baths – one of only 11 such surviving baths in England and Scotland - might be brought back into use.

A campaign to do just that has been running for the last two years, with 1,300 signatures being gathered on a petition to save the facility.

The City Hall is still operational and run by the council. It continues to showcase some of the finest national and international entertainment acts.

There is no intention to close City Hall. The venue will continue to run whether through the council or via an alternative provider.

The leader of Newcastle City Council, Nick Forbes, said: “This is a unique opportunity to take a part of Newcastle’s history and turn it into something that will be part of the city’s future.

“We know how attached the people of Newcastle are to the City Hall and City Pool buildings and we want to hear from anyone who believes they can successfully develop the sites to secure them for the future.

“The City Hall continues to be a popular venue and we believe that whoever comes forward with plans for this part of the site must demonstrate how they will develop it as a venue for live entertainment.

“A combination of Government cuts and rising costs meant we sadly had to close the City Pool complex, including the magnificent Turkish baths, two years ago.

“The buildings have huge potential and we hope we will find bidders with the imagination and enthusiasm to plan a bright new future for the site. This could include community groups who can come forward with viable plans and proposals to bring the buildings back into use.

“Our decision on which bids will be accepted will be based on which proposals offer the best prospects for securing the future of the buildings, in the best interests of local people.”

Newcastle City Hall

Following an application from the Save Newcastle Turkish Baths Campaign, the former City Pools is now listed as an Asset of Community Value under the Localism Act 2011.

This gives community groups six months to prepare a bid.

The campaign, now renamed the Re-Open Newcastle Turkish Baths Group, is taking advice from Jesmond Community Leisure, which runs the Jesmond swimming pool on a community basis, on drawing up a business plan for the Turkish Baths.

A spokesperson for the Turkish Baths Group said: “Since getting the City Pools and Turkish Baths listed as an Asset of Community Value, we have been in ongoing dialogue with Newcastle City Council, and they are aware of our interest and plans for that part of the building.

“We received a grant from the Social Investment Business for pre-feasibility planning and are currently writing a business plan with help from Jesmond Community Leisure, to re-open Newcastle Turkish Baths, which we will submit it to Newcastle City Council in due course.

“We are sad that a building that is so architecturally and historically significant, and has played a part in the lives of so many people from Newcastle is up for sale.

“However we hope the council’s marketing process will bring together offers that can sensitively combine to re-open this historic listed building along with our plans to bring the Turkish Baths back into use as an affordable and accessible community leisure facility. “

The group currently has a short online survey which people can complete to help plan costs, opening hours and services for the Turkish Baths proposal which can be found on the group’s Facebook and twitter pages (@NclTurkishBaths).

“We also encourage any organisation who is interested in making a proposal for part of the building and collaborating with us to get in touch,” said the spokesperson.

The Facebook page says that the aim is to promote the re-opening of Turkish Baths for accessible and affordable swimming and health uses with extensive community involvement. It says: “Newcastle Turkish Baths were, and could be again, an attractive leisure and health facility for all ages and communities from across Newcastle, the North East due to its affordability, wide and central transport links, location in the centre of Newcastle between two universities, and the Civic Centre, its historic and community features, and unique and historic Turkish Baths.

“If re-opened, re-invigorated and promoted effectively the Turkish Baths and Newcastle City Pool could offer benefits to a wide range of communities not served by existing pools, and widen its appeal further still for national and international visitors, and broaden its offer further to include additional beauty, sports and health packages and add-ons.”

Offers will be considered on the whole or part of the site. Commercial bids should be submitted to Sanderson Weatherall by June 2 but community groups have until September 2.

Sanderson Weatherall says: “We are delighted to bring these historic properties to the market.

“The City Hall is to be used in its existing format. This is a fantastic opportunity to take on a brand which has attracted top performers to the city for many years and will continue to do so.

“The City Baths and Pool are two outstanding examples of early 20th Century architecture and present an opportunity to convert these historic buildings into alternative uses for those with the creativity to do so.

“All of these properties boast a range of original architectural features and have great potential.

“The City hall could benefit by using space from the adjoining City Pool.

“The properties are listed but there is the opportunity to back fill the pools to facilitate future uses of the properties.”

The former school is not listed but the company says that in conservation terms it is “likely that demolition would not be appropriate.”